A PUBLIC PETITION against Proposed Forest Service Rules

Sharing concern for common rights, we join in opposing U.S. Forest
Service rules affecting 'Group Uses' and 'Law Enforcement' in our
National Forests, as proposed to amend the Code of Federal Regulations
and now pending under agency review:

'Group Use' Rules: 36 CFR 251/261 {Fed.Register 58:86; 5/6/93}

'Law Enforcement' Rules: 36 CFR 261/262 {Fed.Register 59:32; 2/16/94}

These rulemakings embody illegal government policies, which would...

make it a crime to gather peaceably and exercise First Amendment
rights without a government permit -- assuming authorities to deny
citizen access to public lands;

create unprecedented Agency powers of preemptive enforcement
against 'possible' crimes, and of prior restraint upon freedoms of
assembly, expression, and belief;

fail to establish any 'significant interest' or need for new
strictures beyond those already in-place for the protection of
land and resources or public safety;

build on a legacy of harsh, selective law enforcement upon
peaceful gatherings, contravening the Privacy and Equal Protection
clauses of the Constitution.

Similar "Group Use" rulemakings were twice found unconstitutional by
Federal Courts; the current proposal defies these rulings, and now
would be combined with vastly expanded Federal 'Law Enforcement'
authorities. This poses a dangerous precedent for wider misuse of
government power in violation of First & Fourth Amendment freedoms.

We urge that these policies be abandoned now, in letter and spirit:
As trustee for public lands, the Forest Service must support citizen
access in balance with environmental goals. Where Consensus has
proved a workable alternative to regulation, such 'least restrictive
means' are mandated by common sense and by law.

The Agency should adopt a policy of cooperation and shared
stewardship toward group assembly on National Forest lands, with
maximum restraint in the application of law -- in accord with the
constitutional, proprietary, and natural rights of the Public.